
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
7
14.
How did the wise men find the particular spot
where the Child Jesus was? Verses 9, 1o.
15.
When they had found the Child, what did they do?
Verse r 1, first part.
16.
What gifts did they bring to Jesus? Verse ir,
last part. Note 4.
Notes
i. Bethlehem was the city of David. Here David was born, had
his shepherd experience, and was anointed king. Christ was of
the seed of David, and of the royal line.
Bethlehem
means
house of bread.
Jesus was the "bread of life," sent down from
heaven. Joseph was also "of the house and lineage of David,"
and so went up to Bethlehem, the city of David, to be enrolled
In such a wonderful manner do the providences of God work out
His purposes in the fulfilment of prophecy.
2.
"Wise men," or better, "Magi." The word is Persian or
Median. They were from a priestly caste, who doubtless had
received light from the Holy Scriptures, through the influence
of the Jews of the dispersion.
"As these Magi studied the starry heavens, and sought to
fathom the mystery ,hidden in their bright paths, they beheld
the glory of the Creator. Seeking clearer knowledge, they
turned to the Hebrew Scriptures. In their own land were
treasured prophetic writings that predicted the coming of a divine
teacher. Balaam belonged to the magicians, though at one time
a prophet of God ; by the Holy Spirit he had foretold the pros-
perity of Israel and the appearing of the Messiah; and his
prophecies had been handed down by tradition from century to
century. But in the Old Testament the Saviour's advent was
more clearly revealed. The Magi learned with joy that• His
coming was near, and that the whole world was to be filled with
a knowledge of the glory of the Lord."—"Desire of Ages,"
pages 59, 6o.
3.
"The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens
upon that night when the glory of God flooded the hills of
Bethlehem. As the light faded, a luminous star appeared, and
lingered in the sky. It was not a fixed star nor a planet, and
the phenomenon excited the keenest interest. That star was a
distant company of shining angels, but of this the wise men
were ignorant. Yet they were impressed that the star was of
special import to them. They consulted priests and philoso-
phers, and searched the scrolls of the ancient records. The
prophecy of Balaam had declared, 'There shall come a star out
of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.' Could this